HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to

October 15) we recognize the contributions made and the
important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the
United States and celebrate their heritage and culture.
Hispanics have had a profound and positive influence on our
country through their strong commitment to family, faith, hard
work, and service. They have enhanced and shaped our national
character with centuries-old traditions that reflect the multiethnic
and multicultural customs of their community.
Hispanic Heritage Month, whose roots go back to 1968, begins each year on September
15, the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate
their independence days during this period and Columbus Day (Da de la Raza) is
October 12.
The term Hispanic or Latino, refers to Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other
Spanish culture or origin regardless of race. On the 2010 Census form, people of
Spanish, Hispanic and/or Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Mexican
American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or "another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish
origin."
Today, 55 million people or 17% of the American population are of Hispanic or Latino
origin. This represents a significant increase from 2000, which registered the Hispanic
population at 35.3 million or 13% of the total U.S. population.
Share in this special annual tribute by learning and celebrating the generations of
Hispanic and Latino Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation
and society.
Source: http://www.hispanicheritagemonth.org

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President

Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover
a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was
enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
http://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about/

10 Interesting Statistics about

Hispanics in the US.*
1. The U.S. Hispanic population now stands at more than 55.3 million, making them
the second-largest racial or ethnic group in the U.S.
2. Hispanics make up 17.3% of the U.S. population.
3. By 2060, the Hispanic population is projected to be 119 million.
4. About 55% of Latino adults say they are Catholic, while 16% are evangelical
Protestants and 5% are mainline Protestants (2013.)
5. People of Mexican origin account for two-thirds (34 million) of the nation's Latinos.
6. Since 2000, the primary source of Latino population growth has swung from
immigration to native births. Between 2000 and 2010, there were 9.6 million
Latino births in the U.S., while the number of newly arrived immigrants was 6.5
million.
7. There were eight states with a population of 5 million or more Hispanic residents
in 2013 Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and
Texas.
8. Latinos are the youngest of the major racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. At 27,
the median age of Latinos is a full decade lower than that of the U.S. overall (37
years).
9. About one-third, or 17.9 million, of the nations Hispanic population is younger
than 18, and about a quarter, or 14.6 million, of all Hispanics are Millennials (ages
18 to 33).
10. Among Hispanic eligible voters, 44% are Millennial Hispanics - the single largest
cohort of Hispanic eligible voters.
*Pew Research Hispanic Trends Project Statistics & U.S. Census Bureau